My Nonprofit Reviews
Myrna M.
Review for Pacific Clinical Research Foundation aka Smiles International Foundation, Carlsbad, CA, USA
AS a registered nurse, I have participated many times in the Tecate, Mexico clinic, I have made several trips on the Ukraine trips, and was on the India trip in December 2010. We have come to these clinics with all of our supplies - 10-20 luggage bags - to provide a safe surgical operating room environment, a safe recovery post-op, and to provide the needed pre/post instructions. All of our supplies are brought with us to these clinics by the medical/nursing team as free donations from our own professional contacts here in the USA. Without these surgeries, many of these children would never be employed, gain an education, have the ability to speak clearly, and for the girls, to have any life at all short of death at an early early age.
WE are able to provide hope for a rpoductive live for these children's future. We would not be able to do this without the support of the free medical supplies we receive. We are very thankful.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
On the return trips to the Ukraine and to the Tecate clinic, we seethe children with "staged" surgical procedures. The health and growth of the child is outstanding. The ability to also teach with the country's support staff is always encouraging when what we have taught is in place when we return. The eagerness of the staff and families to see us return is well worth the time/energy to make the trip.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I am sometimes asked why I don't volunteer here in the USA. I always explain that there are few of these cases, and when they appear at birth - cleft lip/palate - they are always surgically repaired within 18months of birth. The difference between what is done here and what is available in other countries is not so readily known by non-medical people. It might be nice to explain this in the campaigns and newsprint.
